Russia’s national ice hockey squad has defeated team Finland 5-2 in the battle for the gold at the 2014 World Hockey Championship in Minsk, Belarus.

This is Russia’s fifth world title since the collapse of the
Soviet Union and 28th counting the victories of the Red Machine.

Following a disappointing failure at the Sochi Olympics – when
the Russian team was bounced from the Games following a loss to
Finland in the quarterfinals – the squad made a triumphant
comeback at the World Championship.

The Russians got to the final unbeaten, taking 2013 champs, the
Swedes 3-1. Sweden completed the podium, beating Czech Republic
3-0 in the bronze match of the championship.

Olympic Champs Canada were eliminated in quarter-final play after
a defeat to Finland.

Russian forward Viktor Tikhonov has become the top scorer and
sniper at the championship, scoring eight goals and assisting his
partners eight times during the 10 matches, flawlessly won by the
Russian team. Another two Russian players – Danis Zaripov and
Sergey Plotnikov – were the second and third top scorers of the
tournament.